Explorer ProComp Stage 2 Dodge Ram Lift Kit

The Dodge Ram 2500 pickup is one of the most popular trucks on the road today. With the excellent Cummins diesel engine, straight axle Dana 60 front and Dana 70 rear, hard use is exactly what the big Dodge is made for. Our feature vehicle is a 2001 Dodge Ram Club cab 2500 Cummins 4x4. The big Dodge would serve multiple duties as a daily driver, shop truck and recreational vehicle with a 9' camper. Traits that would be necessary are quality road manners, load carrying capability and comfort for long road trips. Larger 35" tires were also on the menu as the owner uses the truck to explore the multitude of forest service roads that British Columbia has to offer and wanted the extra performance bigger tires offer.

Before

After

With these goals in mind North Shore Off Road was contacted about a suspension system upgrade. With the intended usage and tire size upgrade required, NSOR suggested the Explorer ProComp Stage 2 lift system. A modest 2" lift is all that is required to fit 315/75-16 (35" equivalent) ProComp All Terrain tires to the Dodge 2500 on the factory aluminum rims. The ProComp Stage 2 kit includes cast aluminum coil spacers, replacement upper and lower control arms, front double shock kit and 6 ProComp ES3000 shock absorbers. Since the owner of the truck was happy with the ride comfort and load carrying capability that the stock springs give, it was felt that the coil spacers were the way to go. The stock spring rate was retained and with the addition of dual shocks on the front, the exceptional weight of the Cummins engine was controlled for proper on and off road handling.

Installation of the ProComp lift kit was handled by NSOR. As with any truck of this size all of the components being handled during the install are large and heavy. Having the use of a hoist will definitely make this job a lot easier. We chose to let a professional handle the job. No cutting or welding was required with this install although it did take a full day in the shop and a wheel alignment was done at the end.

After the install we immediately took the Dodge for a drive to assess the suspension kit. Visually, the kit evened the balance between the front and rear of the truck. The installation of the 315/75-16 tires dramatically improved the looks of the truck. This is the way Dodge should send these trucks to the dealers! Driving impressions immediately told us that the suspension seemed more in control thanks to the quad front shocks. Previously there was a noticeable wallow over highway expansion joints and tire ruts. This effect was no longer evident. Off road we were equally impressed with the suspension and tire upgrades. Diesel engines are very heavy motors, the Cummins is no exception, making the truck very nose heavy. This was very evident on rougher back country roads. The truck would constantly want to follow ruts right into the ditch. With the addition of the larger tires and dual shock setup, control over the vehicle was dramatically increased. Ride over washboards and bumps was also greatly improved.

For the avid Dodge owner who wishes to improve on an already great truck with a conservative system, we highly recommend the ProComp Stage 2 suspension system. On and off road, for the multiple uses this truck was purchased for, the ProComp setup handled all that we requested and did it well.

Components for lifting the front end. Coil spacers, replacement upper and lower control arms, dual shock mounts and new bump stops.	Front suspension as it comes from Dodge.	Installing bushings in the replacement control arms.
The new 315-75/16 ProComp All Terrain fits perfectly on the Dodge alloy wheels.	Doug reinstalling the coil spring with new ProComp ES3000 shock.	Installing coil spacer and dual shock mount. New upper and lower control arms have already been installed.
ProComp ES3000 shocks were used on the rear suspension also.	Install of components is complete. Dual shocks, coil spacer and control arms for a 2" lift with 3/4 ton Cummins	A complete alignment was done after the install.